New Cameras to Issue Warnings Near Juarez and Taft High Schools, Frazier Elementary and Mulberry Park

Warnings for speeding will begin to be issued next week from newly installed Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras in four Children’s Safety Zones near Juarez High School, Taft High School, Frazier Elementary and Mulberry Park.

On Tuesday, September 2nd, the newly installed ASE camera near Juarez High School at 1440 W Cermak Rd. will begin to issue warnings for a 30-day period.

On Friday, September 5th, warnings will begin to be issued from the cameras near Taft High School at 5739 N. Northwest Hwy. and 6510 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., near Mulberry Park at 3200 S. Archer Ave., and near Frazier at 4042 W. Roosevelt Rd. and 1110 & 1117 S. Pulaski Rd.

Only warnings are issued for the first 30 days after cameras are activated in a safety zone. The first time a vehicle owner is eligible to receive an enforceable violation, they will instead receive a warning. Per city ordinance, fines for violations are $35 for vehicles traveling 6-10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit while in a safety zone, and $100 for vehicles traveling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit. The City is currently only issuing tickets for speeders going 10 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit. That ticket threshold will gradually be lowered going forward.

The City is installing ASE cameras in Children’s Safety Zones around parks and schools in an effort to increase safety and reduce speeding. Revenue generated by the program is to be invested in critical safety initiatives including after-school, anti-violence and jobs programs; crossing guards and police officers around schools; and infrastructure improvements, such as additional signs, crosswalk markings and other traffic safety improvements.

The Children’s Safety Zones are designated within 1/8th of a mile from Chicago parks or schools. The City ordinance establishing the program narrows the hours and locations of enforcement that are allowed under state law, and provides for the following:

• The enforcement hours will be limited from 7 am to 7 pm in safety zones around schools on school days (Monday through Friday)

o 7 am to 4 pm: 20 mph speed limit when children are present; the posted speed limit when no children are present

o 4 pm to 7 pm: the posted speed limit

• The enforcement hours around parks will be limited to only those hours parks are open (typically 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week) to the posted speed limit.